Are there any other online sources that it may be worth posting this query to? Finding my way with Linux and I'd rather not just disable SELinux if there is a way I can make XAMPP and SELinux co-exist. Perhaps the answer is to find out how to achieve what XAMPP does by installing and configuring correctly the individual components?

Install SELinux monitor (SELinux troubleshooter tool), it'll tell you the reason it blocks access and how to change the context of files if you want it to allow action. (You find same info from SELinux logs if you prefer hands-on method.) In other words: you need to analyse SELinux logs for reasons why it blocks something.

On the other hand, I've never understood why anyone wants to use XAMPP on a Linux box in the first place. Install Apache, MySQL, php and php-mysql (and any other bits and bobs you fancy) from repos and you're done, additional benefit is that they get updated through Yum for security and versions.

On the other hand, I've never understood why anyone wants to use XAMPP on a Linux box in the first place.

It's still a quick, easy, and clean way to deploy a LAMP implementation quickly, and it installs to its own directory that it never leaves. The central web management GUI is handy, too. Of course, it's not recommended for production environments, but XAMPP is worth its weight in gold to developers.

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- Tom"What is freedom? To have the will to be responsible for one's self." - Stirner

Apparently the xampp libraries were compiled with the executable stack enabled (that's usually not necessary and a bad idea, you should complain about that). Starting with F12, the default SELinux policy denies the executable stack to be enabled. This is your problem (and also causes a lot of trouble for people installing the nvidia graphics drivers or matlab).

A simple solution is to run (with root permissions):

Code:

setsebool -P allow_execstack on

Note: this enables the executable stack for ALL libs, which might not be the cleanest solution, but was the situation in F11 and earlier.

Of course, it's not recommended for production environments, but XAMPP is worth its weight in gold to developers.

In what way? You'll just be developing on different setup to production environment meaning that you can't guarantee your code is working on prod box. If you can't replicate prod setup on your work station or afford to have development box, then run dev box in a virtual machine but never develop and test code in one setup and assume it to work in another.

Thanks for the various replies. My situation is that I just need a "simple" web server to act as a test bed for some PC developed web content, I was having issues getting Apache set up. XAMPP appeared to be an expedient solution. XAMPP works a treat by the way, aside from the SELinux conflicts.

Anyways, I decided to have another crack at installing Apache and can report that it's now happily running as a local Intranet (which is all I need it to do) and can serve pages to my networked Windows based PC's.

Previously I could never get the Apache service to start - it was always in a permanent state of being started without ever actually starting. Brute force un-install and re-install via System > Administration > Add/Remove Software fixed whatever the issue was. I had followed the excellent instructions in Firewing1's thread - Every Server Setup Imaginable - and either not followed the instructions carefully enough (likely given I'm new to this) or there are subtle differences in Fedora 12 and Add/Remove Software does a better job of installation than doing it via a manual install (possible I guess).

Right... now need to get vsftp configured so my PC clients can upload content... Doubtless I'll be back. Thank you again for your help and advice on this occasion.

This is good timing. I was just thinking of installing Xampp on my laptop so I can do development locally and then easily turn it all off when I am not developing. Didn't even think SELinux could cause problems.

Previously I was thinking of setting up a VM image of a LAMP stack, but this I think will be easier.

Do you know if Drupal runs OK on Xampp?

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Linux provides freedom, the problem is most users don't know what it is or how to use it.My Blog | Danbury Area Computer Society Board Member | Linux User# : 477531
p.s. Anybody who sees I am incorrect in technical procedures, etc., please feel free to correct me. I'm just figuring this out as I go along. :D

This is good timing. I was just thinking of installing Xampp on my laptop ....... Do you know if Drupal runs OK on Xampp?

I've started typing, so I'll finish...... I' running WAMP and FileZillla server quite successfully on my Vista laptop.Just realised you are probably running Linux on your Laptop so WAMP is no use to you... Sorry.

As I'd wanted to take a look at a modern Linux for a while now. Having got it running setting up a web server, PHP and MySQL just kind of seemed the next logical thing to do. Of course, given my learning curve with Linux/Fedora (I'm died in the wool Netware 3.11 and Windows everything) setting up some of this stuff up is never as straightforward as you might ideally like. This despite having spent some time as sys-admin on a few Unix boxes (AIX, SunOS amd HP-UX). XAMPP therefore seemed an easy solution and aside from the SELinux issues was a doddle to set up. However, I've now got my Apache server working as an Intranet only and just struggling with file permissions on vsftpd, otherwise I've achieved it the "proper" Linux way.

Apparently the xampp libraries were compiled with the executable stack enabled (that's usually not necessary and a bad idea, you should complain about that). Starting with F12, the default SELinux policy denies the executable stack to be enabled. This is your problem (and also causes a lot of trouble for people installing the nvidia graphics drivers or matlab).

A simple solution is to run (with root permissions):

Code:

setsebool -P allow_execstack on

Note: this enables the executable stack for ALL libs, which might not be the cleanest solution, but was the situation in F11 and earlier.

bepaald

How do you turn the allow off again? setsebool -P allow_execstatck off didn't seem to work for me. Unless it changes the flag back but doesn't take effect until next boot-up?

__________________
Linux provides freedom, the problem is most users don't know what it is or how to use it.My Blog | Danbury Area Computer Society Board Member | Linux User# : 477531
p.s. Anybody who sees I am incorrect in technical procedures, etc., please feel free to correct me. I'm just figuring this out as I go along. :D

And it works! I can't say I fully understand what all is going on here, or how vulnerable it leaves me either but this is a development only machine.

__________________
Linux provides freedom, the problem is most users don't know what it is or how to use it.My Blog | Danbury Area Computer Society Board Member | Linux User# : 477531
p.s. Anybody who sees I am incorrect in technical procedures, etc., please feel free to correct me. I'm just figuring this out as I go along. :D